We Spark Creativity
Independent schools champion the natural creativity in every child, growing creative problem solvers and nurturing artistic skills.
Independent schools champion the natural creativity in every child, growing creative problem solvers and nurturing artistic skills.
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'The Show Must Go On' – The Hill School Presents Its First Virtual Theatrical Performance
While many schools cancelled their theatrical performances due the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris McGriff, director of the Center For The Arts at The Hill School, saw an opportunity to do something that had never been done before at the School – put on a virtual production. McGriff wrote an original play titled “Jury Trial” and offered […]
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Fifth-graders Tackle Design Challenges
As part of their continuing study of project-based learning, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School fifth-graders enjoyed an in-house field trip with Georgia Tech for a special program, “Using Universal Design to Engineer a More Inclusive World.” Tech alumna Marnie Harris and current student Trey Quinn introduced the concept of universal design, which is a key focus […]
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ESD's AP Physics 2 Holds Recyclable Watercraft Race
Last month, The Episcopal School of Dallas Upper School science teacher Matt Varvir challenged his AP Physics II class to construct a watercraft out of recyclable materials that could float on its own. Using cardboard, aluminum, or plastic, the raft should support at least 150 lbs of weight when floating in the quarry. Further requirements […]
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Building a Froebel Playground
As the inventor of Kindergarten Friedrich Froebel had a profound effect, not only on education, but on culture at large. Frank Lloyd Wright attributed his having become an architect to play with Froebel’s blocks. He said of Froebel’s gifts, 3, 4 and 5, “I can still feel those maple blocks in my hands to this […]
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Recycled Orchestra Brings Literacy to Life
Trash transformed into music in an interdisciplinary project that encouraged Corbett Prep students to flex their STEM skills, practice music composition and think globally. And it all began with a book. Students in first through fifth grade read “Ada’s Violin,” Susan Hood’s true story about the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura in Paraguay. Students learned that […]
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Computer lab to Innovation Lab
How do you teach kids about technology when they have had it at their fingertips since birth? Or instruct computer skills and digital citizenship when they are able to navigate apps and downloads, touch screen and web searches faster than most adults? The answer is you don’t. The computer lab – the one most of […]
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Storytelling to Architecture to Service Learning – Kindergarten Gingerbread Project
What happens when math meets storytelling, architecture, collaboration, engineering, baking and service learning? The Kindergarten Gingerbread House Project! Our Kindergarten students completed an integrated project that incorporates all subject areas culminating in a giant gingerbread house. The project began with observation, continued with design and technology, included presentations from experts, followed by measuring, baking, calculating […]
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AP Psychology Students Learn Sweet Lesson Building Neurons Out of Candy
Students at The Episcopal School of Dallas are already busy in AP Psychology learning about the nervous system. They made neurons (presynaptic and postsynaptic) out of candy yesterday to better understand the parts of a neuron. They were to use the following parts and label them with their partner: Axon: Twizzler Pull Aparts Dendrites: Sour […]
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Eighth Grade Poetry Becomes Blues Music
Poetry and cross curricular learning is alive, meaningful and robust at Kent School. Eighth Grade students study a blend of twentieth century literature, history, art and music throughout the academic year. The students read novels short stories, poems, plays and non-fiction articles to complete research papers. They read John Steinbeck, Ray Bradbury, Richard Connell, Langston […]
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ESD Beginner Students Recreate Stik Artwork
Beginner students are learning about Stik, a graffiti artist based in London, whose work wordlessly shows connections and tells stories of his community. Early Childhood Art teacher Amber Stautzenberger decided to display connections and stories with teachers and students at the Lower School beginning with three doors to focus on the primary colors (red, yellow, […]
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The Arts at 'Iolani School
The drumline of the award-winning ‘Iolani School marching band plays an original piece composed by ‘Iolani band director Manny Dayao, Class of 1997, to showcase students thriving in the outstanding performing and visual arts programs at the school. To learn more about the arts at ‘Iolani, go to https://www.iolani.org/arts
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Want to Make the World a Little Better? Build a Tree House!
When elementary students, ranging in age from 7 to 10, at The Delta School realized there was no playground hang-out to call their own—primary students had a playhouse and intermediate students had a spider climb—they interviewed classmates and settled on two goals: a tree house and some swings. It turned out they couldn’t have both, […]